Hang-fire device for breech-loading ordnance.



A. T. DAWSON & G. T. BUGKHAM. HANG FIRE DEVICE FOR BREEGH LOADING ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1910.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C a N u T 0 m H s A. w o c H P A R u o N Av L. P B m u A. T. DAWSON & G. T. BUGKHAM.

HANG FIRE DEVIGE FOR BREEGH LOADING ORDNANOE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1910. 1 078 665 Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

7 amdw COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH ca WASHINGTON, D. c

A. T.'DAWSON & G. T. BUGKHAM.

HANG FIRE DEVIGE FOR BREEOH LOADING ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION IILED JAN.10,'1910 Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

COLUMBIA FLANOGRAPH $0..\vAsmNcHu v Dv c.

A. T. DAWSON & G. T. BUOKHAM.

HANG FIRE DEVIOE FOR BRBEGH LOADING ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1910.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

ill/111 2?! A r COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CU.,WASHINGTON, D. C.

] UNITED sTAT s PATENT oFEIoE.

ARTHUR TREVOR nAwso AND GEORGE THOMAS BUGKHAM, OF WESTMINSTER, LoN- :ooN, ENGLAND, ASs eNoRs To VICKERS LIMITED, OF WESTMINSTER, ENGLAND.

HANG-FIRE DEVICE FOR BREECI-FLOADING- ORDINANCE.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that we, ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON, knight, and GEORGE THOMAS BUCK- HAM, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing at 32 Victoriastreet, West- Ininster, in the county of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hang- Fire Devices for Breech-Loading Ordnance, of which the following is a specification. V This invention relates to apparatus known as hang fire devices which are used with breech loading guns for thepurpose of preventing the breech from bemg opened by the breech actuating mechanism in the usual way, if for any reason the gun'fails to become discharged after operating the firing mechanism.

According to this invention the improved hang fire device comprises a spring catch situated within the lever that operates the breech mechanism, and a contrivance at fixed to a non-recoilingpart of the mounting, the said catch being adapted to engage in a pocket formed in the gun. The said spring catch isin engagement with said pocket during recoil and the said contrivance is of such a character that, unless the gun recoils, itwill prevent the catch from being movedfrom its pocket and the breech; actuating lever from being operated to open the breech, without first releasing the catch bythe use of a special tool or a portion of the gear not otherwise used in operating the mechanism ,and requiring a special movement. Thus in the event of a f hang fire 1 occurring, safetyis insured without interfering with the ease and rapidity of the ordinary working of the gun. By means of our improved device the spring catch is,

after recoil of the gun, liberated from its pocket so that the breech actuating hand lever can be operated; the latter is not however positively displaced-to effectthe initial opening of the'breech as has been proposed in a hang fire device in which a spring catch is situated in the handle of the breech actuating lever and adapted to normally I Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

Application filed January 10, 1910. Serial No. 537,155.

effect, we will describe the same. more fully similar to Figs. 4:, 5 and 6 showing the parts of the hang fire. device in the position they occupy during the initial movement of the gun in recoiling after firing. Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are similar views showing the parts of the hang fire device in the position they occupyv when the gun'has, returned to the run out position after recoiling, and Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are also similar views showing the position of the parts of the hang fire device when thebreech actuating lever is .being returned to the normal or locked position during the closing of the breech. Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively aside elevation and a plan of the breech end of a gun showing a modified construction of our improved hang fire device, theparts being in :the

locked position.' Figs. .18 and 19 are vertical sections onthe line 1, 1 of Fig. 17 drawn on a larger scale and showing the spring catch in two different positions. Fig. 20 is a cross section on the line 2,2 of Fig. 18. Figs. 21 and 22 are enlarged diagrammatic views showing developments of two cooperating parts of the spring catch in difl erent positions. Figs. 23 to 26 are plans showing the spring catch in several different positions relatively to the contrivance on the non-recoiling part of the gun mounting; Fig. 23 representingthese parts inthe position they occupy during recoil of the gun; Fig. 24 representing the said parts in the-position they occupy during therunningout of the gun aft-er recoil; Fig. 25 representing the said parts in the position they occupy when the gun has returned to. the run out position ;and Fig. 26 representing the said parts in the position they occupy when the breech operating lever has nearly reached the locked position in closing the breech. Fig.

they respectively occupy during the recoil of the gun, and at the end ofthe return or run out movement of the gun.

In all'these figures like letters of refer-- ence indicate similar parts. 7

A is the breech end of the gun, B the breech actuating lever, and B the handle for operating the same.

C is the spring catch having a beveled nose G". C is a recessor pocket formed in the gun for the reception of the-nose C and C is a beveled face leading to the sa d recess. In Figs. 1 to 32 the said catch is situated in thehandle B of the hand leverB;

D is the contrivance which is fixed to the cradle or other non-recoiling part of the mounting for, cooperating with the said spring cont-rolled catch C. 7

Referring more particularly to the constructional form of our improved hangfire device illustrated in Figs. l to 15, the aforesaid spring catch C is in the form of a plunger which fits within the hollow handle B of the breech actuating lever B with a capability of sliding vertically therein. The spring a normally tends to keep the said plunger pressed'in an outward or downward direction with the beveled nose C thereon projecting to a limited extent from the lower end-of the aforesaid handle B so as to be free to engage with the recess or pocket C which is formed for its reception in the gun when the breech is closed as is well understood. The said'plunger is provided with a hinged arm or pawl 0 near its lower end which pawl is subjectto the action of the said spring through the intervention of the plug 0 and projects laterally through suitable slots in the plunger and'the containing handle B, into a aforesaid contrlvance D which in the example shown is in the form of a horn or arm projecting rearwardly from the gun cradle to which it is connected by a bracket D (Figs. 1 to rectangular section and occupies such a position relatively to the pawl G that when the mechanism is in the closed position shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the pawl C lies beneath the horn D so that the catch is retained in engagement with its pocket or recess G in the gun and the breech actuating lever B cannot then be operated without resortingto the use of a special tool or of a part of the catch not otherwise used in the operation of the mechanism for lifting the osition to-engage with the This horn may be of cat-clrplunger C. For thus lifting the catchplunger the handle B is formed with a vertical slot 6 and the plunger C with a hole 6 coinciding with the lower end of the said slot 5 when the catch engages .with the pocket or recess C. By inserting plunger to be lifted by a movement which is not necessary in the usual operation of the mechanism. On firing the gun the pawl C slipsaway from the said horn during the recoil and the'action of the plunger-spring c and the plug 0 causes thepawl to'be rocked slightly about its pivot to assume the position shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 which is such that on the return movement ofthe gun, the said pawl will be guided by an incline d on the horn, Fig. 7, into a position above the latter as illustrated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12.

During this movement of the pawl it op-" erates to lift the catch C clear of the pocket or recess G, so that the breech actuating .lever' B is free to be moved to open the breech. On again closing the breech the pawl C will be guided beneath the said horn D by an incline (Z on the latter and the plunger will be lifted by the engagement of the beveled nose C with the beveled face C on the gun and then reengage with its pocket or recess C. show the parts in the position they occupy just before the above described locking movement iscompleted. Further movement in the locking direction will cause the mechanism toonce more assume the locked position shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 from which it can only be released by the recoil movement of the gun or by the aforesaid special tool.

In another constructional form of our improved hang fire device shown in Figs. 16 to 26 the spring catch is as before in the form of a hollow plunger C having at'its lower end the beveled nose C for engaging with the pocket orrecess-C in the gun. The plunger C is prevented from rotating by key pins 0 and is surrounded by a rotary in such manner that it can turn within certain limits without moving axially. The said plunger G is provided at its upper end with a portion of larger diameter which is furnished on its under surface with inclines or helical faces which cooperate with corre sponding inclines or helical faces on the said rotary collar or sleeve E. The inclines Figs. 13, ii and 15' or helical faces on the plunger C comprise two oppositely inclined surfacesX, Y which engage with corresponding surfaces X, Y, on the collar or sleeve E. Vertical faces Z, Z are formed on the plunger and collar respectively and act as shoulders to prevent rotary movement beyond a certain point in one direction. When the breech actuating lever B is in-its closed position, the spring catch C operates through the intervention of the aforesaid inclines or helical faces to turn the collar or sleeve E in a direction to bring its projection or arm E into lateral contact with the horn or arm D on the nonrecoiling part of the mounting and permits the nose C of the catch C to engage with the pocket or recess C in the gun, thus locking the breech actuating lever .B in its closed position. The parts are then in the position shown in Figs. 16, 17,18 and 20, the aforesaid inclines or helical faces being as shown in Fig. 21. When. the gun is fired and recoils the said projection orarm E leaves the horn D and the catch C under the influences of its spring 0 and the aforesaid inclines or. helical faces causes the collar or sleeve .E to turn still farther in a clockwise direction when viewed from above until the shoulders Y and Y are in contact. The projection or arm E is now in the position shown in Fig. 23, so that it will engage with the end of the said horn D when the gun is returning to the firing position as shown in Fig. 24:. During this return movement the said collar or sleeve E iscaused to move farther in the aforesaid clockwise direction and by so doing will finally, through the intervention of the inclines or helical faces Y, Y cause the catch C to be elevated to a suificient extent to liberate it from engagement with the pocket or recess C in the gun as shown in Figs. 19 and 22. The projection or arm E is then in the position shown in Fig. 25. The breech actuating lever B will thus be liberated so that it can be actuated to open the breech. Immediately the breech actuatin lever B is rotated carrying the arm E on the rotary collar E away from the horn D the action of the plunger spring, through the medium of the helices Y and Y causes the arm E to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction into the position shown in Fig. 26. Upon moving the breech actuating lever B inwardly to close the breech the aforesaid projection or arm E on the rotary collar or sleeve E will come into lateral contact with the horn D as shown in Fig. 26 and the rotary collar or sleeve E will on further movement of the actuating lever B be turned farther in an anti-clockwise direction into the position for locking the catch in engagement with its pocket or recess as shown in Figs. 16,17 and 18. So long as the gun does not recoil the catch G remains locked in engagement with the said pocket or recess C and cannot be disengaged therefrom without the use of a special tool or without actuating a the latter will be free to be turned by means.

of its projection E into a position to disengage the bayonet joint, whereupon the collar or sleeve E can be axially removed from the handle B. and the other parts rendered free to be detached.

In another constructional form of our improved hang fire device shown in Figs. 27

in the handle of the breech actuating lever is similar to that above stated but capable of being lifted by a lever grip in an analogous manner to that heretofore proposed by us. The contrivance D on the non-recoiling part of the mounting with which the catch C is adapted to cooperate, comprises in this case a cylindrical pie% or socket fitted with a plunger D that has a second or inner 'to 32, the spring catch C which is situated 7 plunger D therein for operating a pawl D pivoted to the first or outer plunger D, these various parts being under the control of a spiral spring (Z contained within the said cylindrical piece or socket. -When the breech actuating lever B is being moved to its breech closing position after the gun has been loaded, the beveled nose C of the spring catch C strikes against an inclined face D of the plunger D so that the spring catch is lifted over the said plunger and drops behind the same into the pocket C. The parts are now in the position shown in Figs. 27 to 30 in which position the breech actuating lever remains locked as the catch 0 cannot be lifted to a sufficient height to clear the plunger D without the use of a special tool, or without actuating a part of the catch not otherwise used in the operation of the mechanism. On firing and recoil of the gun, the aforesaid pawl D gives way to the spring catch 0 as shown in Fig.

31 and regains its original position under the action of the spiral spring d. It thus lies in the path of the spring catch G on the return movement of the gun to the firing position and enables the plungers D, D to be displaced through the intervention of the pawl D into the position shown in Fig. 32. The breech actuating lever B can now be operated to open the breech, and as soon as the catch C clears the pawl D the plunioo gers D, return to the normal position under the influence of the spring d. After the breech has been actuated the lever B is returned to the position shown in Fig. 28 as before described. In the event of the gun failing to. recoil after actuating the firing mechanism, the spring catch C does not change its position and therefore still lies laterally against the/outer plunger D thus preventing the breech actuating lever from being actuated to openthe breech until the spring catch C is released by means of a special tool, xora part of the catch not otherwise used in the operation of the mechanism.

Although the said hang fire device has been described above in connection with a breech actuating lever arranged at the up per part of the gun, the said device is equally applicable to a breech actuating lever occupying other positions.

Nhat We claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a hang fire devicefor breech loading guns, the combination with the breech actuating hand lever, of a catch situated on the breech actuating lever and adapted to engage in a pocket formed in the gun, a

'contrivance aflixed to a non-recoiling part of the gun, and a projection onsaid catch adapted torcooperate with said contrivance so that the catch is retained in its pocket until the gun has recoiled after firing.

2. In a hang fire device for breechloading guns, the combination with the breech actuating hand lever, of a catch situated on the .said breech actuating lever, a contrivance affiXed to a non-recoiling part of the gun, and a device on the gun with which the catch is adapted to engage, said contrivance on the runout of the gun positively moving the catch out of engagement with said device.

3. In a hang fire device for breech loading guns, the combination With the breech actuating hand lever of a spring catch situated on the breech actuating lever and adapted to engage in a pocket formed in the gun, a horn affixed to a non-recoiling part of the gun and having an inclined nose, and means adapted to cooperate with said horn so that the catch is retained in its pocket until the gun has recoiled.

4. In a hang fire device for breech loading guns, the combination with the breech actuating hand lever, of a spring catch situated within the handle of .the breech actuating lever, a device on the gun with which said catch is adapted to engage, a horn aflixed to a non-recoiling part ofthe gun and having an inclined nose, and a pawl attached to said spring catch, said pawl cooperating with the said horn to retain the catch in engagement with the aforesaid device until the gun has recoiled.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON. GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAM.

Witnesses HENRY KING, ALFRED PEAKS.

-Gopies'of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Yatents,

Washington. D. G. 

